Brené Brown is an American research professor at the University of Houston who has spent more than two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy. [1] Her 2010 TEDxHouston talk, The Power of Vulnerability, became one of the most watched talks in the world, and she is the author of six #1 New York Times bestsellers. [1] [2]
Who is Brené Brown?
Brené grew up in Texas and studied social work, earning her bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin and her master’s and PhD at the University of Houston. [1] She has taught at the University of Houston ever since, where she holds the Huffington Foundation Endowed Chair, and she is also a Professor of Practice at the McCombs School of Business at UT Austin. [1]
Her research uses a qualitative approach called grounded theory: listening to thousands of people’s stories and looking for the patterns in them. Out of that work came her first book, I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t), followed by The Gifts of Imperfection in 2010. [1]
That same year she gave a talk at TEDxHouston on the power of vulnerability. It spread around the world and was followed in 2012 by her TED talk Listening to Shame. [2] Her books since then include Daring Greatly, Rising Strong, Braving the Wilderness, Dare to Lead and Atlas of the Heart. [1]
In 2019 her Netflix special, The Call to Courage, brought her work to a new audience, and in 2022 Atlas of the Heart became a series on HBO Max. [1] She hosts two podcasts, Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead. [3] Her motto is simple: “Courage over comfort.” [1]
Her approach in brief
- Show up. Let yourself be seen.
- Name it. Find words for what you feel.
- Speak shame. It loses power when shared.
- Choose courage. Courage over comfort.
At a glance
Known for: The Power of Vulnerability (TED)
Topics: Courage, vulnerability, shame, empathy, belonging, leadership
Format: Books, talks, podcasts, Netflix and HBO Max
Books: Daring Greatly, The Gifts of Imperfection, Atlas of the Heart
YouTube: Brené Brown
Good fit if
You hold yourself back for fear of looking foolish, you’re hard on yourself, or you want to lead and connect in a more open, honest way.
Our take
Warm, research-based and easy to relate to. Start with her vulnerability talk, then read The Gifts of Imperfection.
Brené Brown’s key ideas
These come from her books, talks and podcasts. Tap a card to read more.
Vulnerability is courage
The central idea of Brené’s work is that vulnerability is not weakness. She describes it as uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure, and sees it as the birthplace of love, belonging, joy and creativity. In Daring Greatly she argues that we can’t experience those things without being willing to be seen. [2]
In her 2010 talk she explained that the people in her research who had a strong sense of love and belonging believed they were worthy of it. They had the courage to be imperfect and the compassion to be kind to themselves first. [2]
On 60 Minutes she was careful to add that vulnerability is not over-sharing. It means sharing with people who have earned the right to hear your story.
Shame resilience
Brené’s early research focused on shame, the feeling that we are flawed and unworthy of connection. Her 2012 TED talk, Listening to Shame, explains why it grows when it stays hidden. [2]
Her answer is shame resilience: recognising shame when it shows up, reaching out to someone you trust, and speaking about it. In her words, shame needs secrecy, silence and judgement to grow, and empathy is its antidote. [2]
Her first book, I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t), was written around this idea. [1]
Shame versus guilt
Brené draws a clear line between two feelings people often mix up:
- Guilt says “I did something bad.” It is about behaviour, and it can motivate change.
- Shame says “I am bad.” It is about the self, and it tends to keep us stuck.
She suggests focusing on guilt rather than shame: owning a mistake without deciding that it defines you. [2] She explains the idea in a short 60 Minutes interview in the videos below.
Atlas of the Heart
In Atlas of the Heart (2021), Brené maps 87 emotions and experiences, grouped into places we go when life is uncertain, when we compare, when we’re hurting, and more. [1]
The idea is that language matters: when we can name what we feel accurately, we understand ourselves better and connect more easily with others. The book became a five-part HBO Max series in 2022. [1]
True belonging
In Braving the Wilderness (2017), Brené separates belonging from fitting in. Fitting in means changing who you are to be accepted. True belonging means being yourself and feeling connected anyway. [1]
She describes it as having the courage to stand alone when you need to, while still staying open to connection with others.
Dare to Lead
Dare to Lead (2018) brings her research into the workplace. Its core message is that daring leadership is built on skills anyone can learn: rumbling with vulnerability, living by your values, building trust and learning to rise after setbacks. [1]
She continues this work through her Dare to Lead podcast and as Executive Chair of the Center for Daring Leadership at BetterUp. [3] [1]
Videos with Brené Brown
Hand-picked and checked one by one: her two TED talks, short interviews and the Atlas of the Heart series.
Start here
Shame and courage
Atlas of the Heart
Articles about Brené Brown
Brené Brown’s books
Brené’s books are published worldwide. These are the best places to start.
Find her books in your country: US · UK · Canada · Australia · India.
Where to learn more from her
Her two podcasts, Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead, are free on the main podcast apps. [3] Her website also lists her books, talks and resources. [4]
Her books, podcasts and specials are available worldwide, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Europe and India.
What the Research Shows
Several ideas close to Brené Brown’s work, such as self-kindness, naming feelings and writing about emotions, have been studied by other psychologists.
- Self-compassion. Treating yourself with the kindness you would show a friend is linked with greater wellbeing and resilience. [5]
- Naming feelings. Simply putting a feeling into words reduced activity in the brain’s alarm centre. [6]
- Expressive writing. Writing openly about emotional experiences was linked to better health and wellbeing. [7]
Frequently asked questions
Who is Brené Brown?
An American research professor at the University of Houston who studies courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy.
What is her most famous talk?
The Power of Vulnerability, given at TEDxHouston in 2010.
What is the difference between shame and guilt?
In her words, guilt is ‘I did something bad’ and shame is ‘I am bad’.
Which Brené Brown book should I read first?
Many readers start with The Gifts of Imperfection or Daring Greatly.
What is Atlas of the Heart?
Her 2021 book mapping 87 emotions and experiences, later an HBO Max series.
Does she have a podcast?
Yes, two: Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead.
What is her motto?
Courage over comfort.
Sources
- Brené Brown: About
- TED: Brené Brown
- Brené Brown: Podcasts
- Brené Brown: FAQ
- Neff, Self-Compassion: An Alternative Conceptualization of a Healthy Attitude Toward Oneself, Self and Identity 2003
- Lieberman et al., Putting Feelings Into Words, Psychological Science 2007
- Pennebaker, Writing About Emotional Experiences as a Therapeutic Process, Psychological Science 1997
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